The colorful alstroemeria psittacina, or parrot lily, flower can add an exotic touch to any garden. This showy perennial has flowers that look like parrot feathers, which is how it got its name. If you take good care of it, the parrot lily will grow and bloom every year, giving you its showy beauty.
An Overview of the Alluring Parrot Lily
The alstroemeria psittacina is from Brazil and Argentina and is in the Alstroemeriaceae family. This perennial herb grows from tubers and has lush green leaves and bright flowers. The trumpet-shaped flowers come in different shades of orange, red, and yellow, with spots that stand out and throats that are striped. They grow in groups of three to eight blooms and can be two to three inches across. This plant is 1 to 4 feet tall and 1 to 3 feet wide. It thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10.
Providing the Right Growing Conditions
Parrot lily requires specific care to maximize its captivating floral display. Here are its key needs:
Sunlight: Parrot lily does best in full sun and needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight every day to bloom a lot. Partial shade is tolerated, but flowering will decrease.
Soil Well-draining soil is vital. Loamy, slightly acidic soil amended with compost is ideal Improve drainage in heavy clay soils.
Water: Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Established plants need about 1-2 inches of water per week. Less in winter, more in heat.
Temperature: Parrot lily does best in warm weather, 60° to 80°F during the day. It can tolerate light frosts but avoid lower freezing temperatures.
Fertilizer: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season for optimal blooms and plant health.
Caring for Your Parrot Lily Year-Round
Tailoring your care to the changing seasons is key for a thriving parrot lily. Follow these tips:
Spring: Fertilize plants and remove any winter mulch as temperatures warm up. Prune dead foliage and stems. Watch for new growth.
Summer: Water regularly and apply fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Stake tall stems if needed. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers.
Fall: Reduce water and fertilizer as plants go dormant. Mulch plants in colder climates for winter protection. Cut back foliage once it dies after hard frosts.
Winter: Water sparingly over winter. Remove mulch in early spring as new growth emerges. Avoid pruning until risk of frost has passed.
Achieving Abundant Blooms
Maximizing the floral display of parrot lily requires meeting a few key conditions:
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Sunlight: Insufficient sun exposure results in reduced blooms. Provide at least 6 hours of direct sun.
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Nutrition: Regular fertilization during the growing season fuels prolific flowering. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer.
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Moisture: Drought stress inhibits blooming. Maintain consistent soil moisture. Increase watering during hot/dry periods.
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Air Circulation: Improve airflow and reduce humidity to deter foliar diseases that can weaken plants and limit flowering.
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Deadheading: Snipping off spent blooms redirects energy into new flower production.
Propagating for More Parrot Lilies
Expanding your collection of alluring parrot lily is simple with these propagation methods:
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Division: The easiest option. Dig up mature clumps in early spring and divide into pieces, ensuring some roots and a growth bud on each section. Replant divisions and water well.
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Root Cuttings: Take 3-4 inch root sections in spring containing a growth bud. Root in pots before transplanting out.
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Seeds: Sow fresh seeds in flats indoors. Slow to germinate and establish. Division is faster.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
When provided with suitable growing conditions, parrot lily is relatively trouble-free. But watch for these potential issues:
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Fungal diseases: Improve airflow and reduce watering. Apply organic fungicides if needed.
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Root rot: Check drainage and avoid overwatering. Let soil partially dry out between waterings.
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Pests: Pick off by hand or use insecticidal soap sprays. Avoid pesticides that can stress plants.
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Lack of blooms: Increase sunlight, fertilize regularly, provide adequate moisture, and eliminate overcrowding.
Bringing the Splendor of Parrot Lily to Your Garden
With its vibrant, uniquely-shaped blooms, the alstroemeria psittacina is truly one of a kind. Follow this guide to care, propagation, and troubleshooting for success growing this eye-catching flower. A bit of effort will reward you with the exotic beauty and graceful charm of parrot lily spicing up your garden or containers for years to come.
How to propagate alstroemeria
Like most perennials, alstroemerias form clumps of roots that grow larger over time. After several years, large clumps can be divided up: this makes more alstroemeria plants for free and also rejuvenates congested plants when flowering starts to decline.
Divide alstroemerias in early spring. Alstroemerias have fleshy tuber-like roots that are easily damaged, so be careful when you lift and handle them. Cut the clump into several pieces and plant them right away in soil that has been improved with organic matter.
How to grow alstroemeria
Alstroemeria is a hardy herbaceous perennial, which means it lives for many years, with growth that dies back to the ground each winter. Ideally, plant alstroemerias in spring so they can settle in before flowering, spacing them 60 cm apart. Asters are great for cut flowers. Plant them in a spot that doesn’t get much traffic or in a cuttings patch if you have room, like on an allotment.
Growing alstroemerias – everything you need to know, esp how to pick them!
FAQ
How do you care for Alstroemeria psittacina?
Water frequently so the soil is consistently moist but not soggy. Too much water will lead to root rot. Fertilize your Alstroemeria when in bloom. Use a high potash fertilizer each week during the growing season.
Do Alstroemeria need sun or shade?
Alstroemeria prefer a sunny site with fertile, well-drained soil, although they will benefit from some afternoon shade where summers are exceptionally hot.
Do Alstroemeria do well in pots?
Do alstroemerias grow in pots? Ben strongly recommends growing them in pots. In the border, they can spread too much, but in pots, they can be contained. In the winter, move the pots from the garden to a greenhouse or conservatory. This will help them flower for longer.
How do you keep Alstroemeria blooming?
You can use shears to remove deadheads, but just cutting off the “head” has been shown to hurt the next season’s show. A better method of deadheading involves no tools and will promote better blooms the following year. Simply grasp the dead flower stem and pull the entire stem out from the base of the plant.